Internet relationships and communities
Discussion
Reading the 'Ian Beech' thread, and dipping in and out of the 'pursuit of happiness' thread, and one or two others, has got me thinking.
It's really just over the last five years or so that internet communities (like PH) have really taken off, particularly since broadband has become available to most. As such, we are at the very beginning of an information and communication revolution, which I'm sure will have all sorts of causes and effects. One of which is that of 'internet relationships'. For example, so many people were genuinely effected by Ian's death who had never even met him. Also, I think some people feel more comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts, aspirations, fears, etc online than face to face. I don't know whether this is good or bad or irrelevant - but it's certainly unchartered territory for humanity.
I wonder where it will end and how it will evolve?
It's really just over the last five years or so that internet communities (like PH) have really taken off, particularly since broadband has become available to most. As such, we are at the very beginning of an information and communication revolution, which I'm sure will have all sorts of causes and effects. One of which is that of 'internet relationships'. For example, so many people were genuinely effected by Ian's death who had never even met him. Also, I think some people feel more comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts, aspirations, fears, etc online than face to face. I don't know whether this is good or bad or irrelevant - but it's certainly unchartered territory for humanity.
I wonder where it will end and how it will evolve?
To the extent that it helps people open up, or perhaps lurk, read and consider before undertaking action, it must be a good thing.
To the extent that it enhances common interests, meeting up, spreading information and enlightening the working (and non working) day it must be a good thing.
How will it evolve. As long as the PC brigade somewhere don't agree on mass regulation and leave these boards as intended, only time will tell. We only plant the seeds....
Ajit.
To the extent that it enhances common interests, meeting up, spreading information and enlightening the working (and non working) day it must be a good thing.
How will it evolve. As long as the PC brigade somewhere don't agree on mass regulation and leave these boards as intended, only time will tell. We only plant the seeds....
Ajit.
Marki said:
Well as i have mentioned on another thread thanks to the internet tommorow i am meeting a fine looking lass who in her spare time impersonates Zeppellin races so i love the net
Well you "assume" that's a recent photo! Reminds me of David Brent's experiences in The Office. It'll be interesting to see if the reality meets the expectation - in both camps!
srebbe64 said:
Well as i have mentioned on another thread thanks to the internet tommorow i am meeting a fine looking lass who in her spare time impersonates Zeppellin races so i love the net
Well you "assume" that's a recent photo! Reminds me of David Brent's experiences in The Office. It'll be interesting to see if the reality meets the expectation - in both camps!
I can not lie i have been sorely dissapointed in the past by the net However Schatzi says they really are natural and all paid for
i will let you know tommorow night if i can untie myself srebbe64 said:
I wonder where it will end and how it will evolve?
it wont end as communication between people is a fundamental thing. its evolution will be in making that interaction faster and simpler.
evolution - obviously user interfaces with no moving parts (eg your thoughts power the cursor kinda thing), and once that is done the transfer of ideas between people. imagine a legal document that you never actually sign or that never exists in a real form, that is stamped by reading it in your mind and agreeing to it and then creating a virtual seal on the document that only your own brain could do. the document is transferred to you electronically, you sign it, and file it electronically.
one thing the internet has done in the commercial world is to remove the middleman or reducing their roles to big match making databases, eg property websites. if your communications were more fluid then it only stands to reason that the middlemen who deal in intelectual property will also be circumvented.
imagine where we could be if we could transfer our imaginations - "i want my building to look like this!" etc.
or i could just be talking rubbish.
los angeles said:
With a knock on the door in the dead of night. "Are you the sod who posted "tosser" on my thread?!!!"
I also contribute to a bikers group on usenet, which is unmoderated and occasionally heated. We meet up twice a year or more to thrash our bikes round Derbyshire and get
. No punchups yet... 
srebbe64 said:
Also, I think some people feel more comfortable sharing their innermost thoughts, aspirations, fears, etc online than face to face. I don't know whether this is good or bad or irrelevant - but it's certainly unchartered territory for humanity.
I wonder where it will end and how it will evolve?
Good point
I often feel that I am only revealing the 'real' me on here and perhaps I am seeing the 'true' self of other PH's.
As to where it will end?, perhaps we will see more and more people who's only social interaction is online.
Asimov wrote an interesting book about a planet where humans never met each other, but lived in separate 'ranch' style homes. Their only social interaction a face on a screen, unless they were to mate
>> Edited by Jaglover on Saturday 11th February 22:04
There's another side in that we're actually regressing in time....Before the net there were messengers, couriers and a reliable mail system that meant that you could write and post a letter and the intended recipient recived it a few hours later and was able to reply. We lost this as the world evolved and the net has given it back to us only now more advanced than ever........where will it end??? I don't think it ever will, sure there will be peaks and troughs in evolution but there will always be a forward movement....my 13 daughter even checks her MSN on her mobile..........mind you talk about regression with all that txt spk!!
I think the tinternet community will get bigger and bigger cos people will spend more and more time on computers and the internet. More people will start working from home, shopping from home, getting their entertainment online and ultimately forming relationships online and I reckon even though its easier to lie online most people don't.
srebbe64 said:
Well lads its been a pleasure but i really need to get my beauty sleep ,,
i hope to god she is getting hers
I hope she doesn't have an electric blanket, you know what happened to the Hindenburg.
She will not need any external heat souces mate
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